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Friday’s drought news warns you to stay safe out there in wet conditions…and don’t get cocky about how much water we're getting.

Sure, there was fresh snow on the ground, but Thursday’s statewide average snowpack measurement was 24 percent of normal. (Press-Enterprise)

Peep these maps of California for each week since the state of emergency began, and watch the brick-red swath of “exceptional drought” grow. (Mother Jones)

San Francisco Public Utilities Commission asking for 10 percent voluntary cutbacks. "We're waiting for the snow to melt and come down and fill our reservoir, but it ain't happening." (SF Gate)

So what if there’s no water? California Congressional leaders are using drought to push forward proposals for dams and other “surface storage” projects, including an idea for a Upper San Joaquin River dam at Temperance Flat which has been bouncing around for a decade or more. (Fresno Bee)

California drought through Canadian eyes: Winter strawberries might cost more, but Canada might be able to sell the Golden State its veggies and tomatoes. (CBC)

Previously in Pacific Swell

KPCC's Molly Peterson on a Gilligan's Island style tour of environmental stories in and affecting Southern California. Named for the Yvor Winters poem: "The slow Pacific swell stirs on the sand/Sleeping to sink away, withdrawing land..."
Follow the blog at @PacificSwell and Molly at @KPCCmolly.